New grad in School Nursing

[nurseinFL2567]

So I am a new grad, currently working in an ICU and am completely miserable in the hospital/ICU setting. I definitely think I'm not cut out for it. I have been researching school nursing for the past two months and think it would be a much better fit for me. I have also read on here about some of y'all who started as new grads in school nursing. I was originally planning on staying in this job even though I'm miserable but just don't think I can make it for a year or two. There are a couple open nurse positions in school districts I would be interested in but both say experience preferred, which is obviously understandable, but I was wondering if it would be worth a shot to go ahead and just apply and see what happens. I realize that experience is preferred because of being the only nurse in the building but I also think that being a school nurse would encompass my strengths, I'm good at assessments, and am very patient and compassionate. I also have participated in a program specializing in pediatric critical care, enabling me to also already be PALS certified which gives me other skills. Just wondering what opinions were and if I should go ahead and apply or if it would be better to wait.

[sourapril]

I don't know where you are but some schools in Colorado don't treat their school nurses very nice. The nurses are expected to do everything within their scope of practice as well as "other assigned tasks" (i.e. clerical work, janitorial work, etc.). Before you quit, you should shadow a school nurse for at least several hours. I think you will get a good picture of whether it's a good match for you not.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Or see if you become a sub on days you aren't currently working - check your local district for details. Subbing for a day or two can really show what school nursing is about and let you know if it is for you.

I went into school nursing as a new grad, but I started as a sub first.

[nyy2]

I agree with Jen-Elizabeth - apply to be a sub. That way you can see what it is like and have your foot in the door. I did an accelerated BSN program (1 year) and half way through I realized I could not handle working in a hospital. I hated every minute of my hospital clinicals. I contemplated quitting, but my professors advised against it since there are so many different settings a nurse can work in. A lot of those "different settings" do require previous hospital experience, so if you can hack a year or so, that may be a good idea. But at the same time I believe life is too short to be miserable.

I was told over and over to just do 1 year of med-surg, but there was no way I was willing to be miserable for that long just to open a few doors. I worked in a pediatric office and then and asthma/allergy office before becoming a school nurse. I was a sub for about 6 months when there was an opening, and I took the position.

I say to go with your gut...sometimes the biggest risks have the biggest rewards! Good luck! :)

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

A new grad in ICU would be very overwhelming. Have you considered changing floors? There are many different areas of nursing that would be easier for a new grad. I can't imagine having to learn everything you need to as a new grad in addition to all the extra specialty things in ICU.

Anyway, even though you are certified in PALS and all that other stuff (which is wonderful), nothing can replace plain old experience on dealing with emergencies on your own. However, thankfully that doesn't happen too often in school nursing. You just have to be ready when it does. Our district used to require one year experience when I started and now it's five years. We're also required to have a BSN so if you don't have that check to see what's required for your district.

You need to have very good interpersonal skills to deal with all the parents and teachers as well. I highly recommend doing what everyone else suggests by subbing first to see if you would like it or even shadowing for a day or two. I'd say go for it if you want to-you have nothing to lose! If they say you need more experience, sub for a while-nothing beats school nurse experience for getting hired!! Just be forewarned, it's not a perfect job and we have to put up with a lot to have this job but for me it's worth it.

[GdBSN, RN]

I too knew right away that I did not want to be in the hospital setting. After a year of experience, I accepted a school nurse position and absolutely love it! It is a very different type of nursing. You have to be good at assessments and triaging. Some days are crazy, but at the end of the day, you have made a big impact on the lives of these children. Good luck!